Surviving as a Terminally Ill Heiress - Chapter 63

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 63

“…I’ve completed all the instructions you gave, and this is the list of birthday gifts that arrived. I’ve organized the letters that seem to require responses separately from the congratulatory cards.”
That’s Orka for you. His work is always immaculate.
I took the documents from him with a satisfied smile.
“You’re the finest advisor I could ask for.”
Orka’s eyes widened at my sudden comment before he broke into a soft laugh.
“Out of nowhere, sir?”
“I think it all the time. I’ve just never said it aloud until now.”
Speaking so casually, I couldn’t help but make Orka shake his head in resignation.
The moment felt warm and comfortable.
And then an intense gaze pierced between us.
“…Tru.”
“Yes?”
“You’re dismissed.”
Tru shuffled away with a face full of disappointment.
That one’s always trying to peek through keyholes.
Watching his retreating figure, Orka asked with a puzzled expression.
“Is something the matter?”
“There are rumors of romantic involvement between us circulating.”
“…Ah.”
Ah?
I looked directly at Orka.
“You already knew?”
“Well… gossip about you spreads quickly, sir.”
That’s true.
It would be strange for a capable advisor like Orka not to know the rumors about me.
“Then why didn’t you mention it?”
“You didn’t seem particularly curious about such things.”
Fair point.
Orka really was capable.
I sighed and flipped through the documents absently.
“Still, I feel bad for dragging you into this scandal. If you ever need to clarify things later, just say the word. I’ll take an active hand in it.”
“Clarify?”
“One day you might be misunderstood by someone you care about.”
Orka seemed to ponder for a moment before offering his characteristic gentle smile.
[For now, I’m content as things are.]
I blinked several times before asking.
“So a salary increase isn’t necessary?”
“That’s not what I mean, sir.”
Ha. Speaking from both sides of your mouth, are you?
Either way, I was thinking of giving him a generous bonus for being so considerate.
I set aside the documents and picked up the letters.
Starting with the one that bore a Gold Seal.
It was from the Imperial Palace.
‘…It’s been ages since I last saw Jeremiah.’
The Imperial Palace had scarcely received visitors lately.
The Second Prince, Jeremiah, had been in poor health.
I carefully opened the letter’s envelope.
The stationery, which smelled faintly of grass, bore only a brief message.

My dear friend,
Happy fourteenth birthday.
From a friend within the Imperial Palace.

The handwriting was still neat, but trembled faintly with each stroke.
I could feel how much effort it had cost him to write each character of this brief note.
‘…He won’t pass away.’
My hand tightened around the letter. Crackle—the edge crumpled slightly.
I had no memory of learning of the Imperial Palace’s death notice before my own death.
Only that the princes had shown no activity whatsoever.
Yes. It’s alright. As long as he’s alive…
‘How is it outside the palace, my lady?’
Jeremiah had asked me this once.
Sitting across from him as usual in the Prince’s Palace garden, I’d answered without much enthusiasm.
‘Would you prefer a polished answer or an honest one?’
‘Start with the polished one.’
‘By Your Highness’s boundless grace and virtue, the people enjoy peace and prosperity.’
‘Hmm, Mother would be satisfied with that. Now, the honest answer?’
‘Life is the same for everyone.’
Jeremiah had laughed before speaking again.
‘But surely not everyone’s circumstances and conditions are truly identical.’
‘A rather obvious remark, Your Highness.’
‘Indeed… I suppose you’re right. How I wish I could see it all with my own eyes.’
He gazed at the carefully cultivated artificial forest designed solely for his benefit, without a single rough edge.
‘Sometimes I wonder what I might be like if I existed beyond these palace walls.’
A sickly prince who had never once left the palace in his entire life.
I gently comforted this flower in a hothouse who yearned for the wind and rain beyond.
‘Once you leave home, hardship awaits.’
‘….’
‘Besides, I quite enjoy being able to say, “My friend lives in the palace.”‘
I recalled the image of Jeremiah’s pale face—first bewildered, then laughing at my words.
From a friend within the Imperial Palace.
I read those words over and over again.
Then I rose from my seat.
“Orka, let’s go out.”
“Where to, sir?”
As if calling me forward.
“To the Nibelis Grand Temple.”

* * *

Nibelis, the Lord who created all things.
While temples dedicated to him existed in various nations, only the one in the capital of Atera bore the title of Grand Temple.
For it was the place where the Archangel himself had descended directly.
More than six hundred years ago, an Archangel had answered the call of Amelia, the first head of House Ambrose—that very temple was it.
‘So this is the place.’
Magnificent. White, vast, and imposing.
That was the extent of my admiration.
I must have seen many beautiful things in my time.
As I descended from the carriage with my arms folded, I felt the lingering gazes of those around me.
The temple of the divine, freely accessible to anyone fourteen and above, teemed with crowds.
‘There are quite a few nobles here.’
I narrowed my eyes.
From what I could see, about twenty percent came with genuine faith, and eighty percent came to expand their networks.
I could sense it because I’d experienced it myself.
Like those nobles passing by over there, for instance…
‘Hm?’
Our eyes suddenly met.
The Miller family—my former employers—all four of them.
I nearly bowed instinctively, a habit ingrained in my body.
Since I felt as if I were dreaming, I simply stared blankly until they began exchanging whispers among themselves.
“…That’s her, isn’t it? The Ambrose lady from all those rumors.”
“Leonard, go greet her.”
“Why should I… Father, you go first!”
They bickered back and forth, each deflecting the task.
Some things never change. I laughed quietly.
I even felt a strange affection stirring.
“Oh, hello!”
And this young lady remains unchanged as well.
Pushing past her exasperating parents and older brother, the girl approached me with a flushed face.
“I’m Valery of House Miller!”
I know. Very well.
I smiled faintly.
Valery Miller, the young lady of the baronial house where I once served.
She wasn’t a bad person, honestly.
‘But why is your hair so dry and short? The color is pretty though… why don’t you grow it out and apply some oils? Elaine has excellent cosmetic shops.’
Just a rather naive young lady, that’s all.
I gave a light nod.
“Hello.”
“You’re really the Ambrose lady, aren’t you? This is so wonderful! You’re so famous!”
“Am I?”
“Of course! Is there anyone in the Atera Empire who doesn’t know your name?”
True enough. Though not all of it is favorable.
I offered a polite smile, and Valery stared intently at me.
“Wow… you’re incredibly beautiful. No wonder everyone keeps glancing at you!”
‘Marquis Marlon was looking for you. Your face is passable, so you might do well enough for a good match. Ugh, though a seventy-year-old geezer? I’d rather die!’
The young girl’s eyes before me now sparkled with admiration.
Orka beside me also cast a subtle glance.
I knew this look well.
The eyes of someone gazing with admiration.
She used to look at newspaper clippings from the Imperial Palace, handsome knights, and the occasional high-ranking nobleman passing in the distance with these very eyes.
As for the maid standing right beside her, well—there was no malice, but no kindness either.
The way you might regard a stone lying in the street, simply because it happens to be there.
Then someone else approached hesitantly.
I glanced at him sideways.
Ah.
The composure I’d barely maintained before Valery vanished entirely.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Leonard Miller.”
This filthy bastard who trashed his room.
‘Hey, since I’m being nice to you, why don’t you hike up your skirt?’
And the dirtiest one in that room.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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